Adjustable climbing apparatus

ABSTRACT

An adjustable climbing apparatus having a plurality of movable bar members. The movable members have hook shaped connectors on each end one of which is telescopic and spring loaded toward a fore-shortened position. A projection on the inner surface of the connector is provided to register with regularly spaced depressions on other bar members of the apparatus for locking engagement therewith. Attachable accessories in the form of facades which simulate walls, windows, and the like are also attachable to the frame to enable a child to create an imaginary play enclosure.

United States Patent [1 1 Caldow 1 July 29, 1975 .[54] ADJUSTABLE CLIMBING APPARATUS [76] Inventor: Douglas Caldow, 3108 Carlsen St.,

Berkeley, Calif. 94602 [22] Filed: Mar. 1, 1974 [21] App1.No.:447,317

[52] US. Cl. 272/60 R; 272/1 R [51] Int. Cl A631) 9/00 [58] Field of Search D34/5 l-l; 46/28; 272/60 R,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 337,347 3/1886 Nusbaum 403/166 2,665,950 l/1954 Johnson 403/190 3,011,586 12/1961 Harvey.... 182/152 3,547,435 12/1970 Scott 272/60 R 3.554540 l/l971 Green 272/60 R 3,719,358 3/1973 Aaron 272/60 R Primary ExaminerRichard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner--Joseph R. Taylor Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Bruce & McCoy [57] ABSTRACT An adjustable climbing apparatus having a plurality of movable bar members. The movable members have hook shaped connectors on each end one of which is telescopic and spring loaded toward a fore-shortened position. A projection on the inner surface of the connector is provided to register with regularly spaced depressions on other bar members of the apparatus for locking engagement therewith. Attachable accessories in the form of facades which simulate walls, windows, and the like are also attachable to the frame to enable a child to create an imaginary play enclosure.

13 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTED-JULZQ I975 SHEET FIG-3 FlG.-6

ADJUSTABLE CLIMBING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of Invention The present invention relates to play structures and more particularly to an adjustable climbing apparatus for children.

2. Description of the Prior Art A variety of play structures having interconnecting parts which can be assembled by an adult or child exist in the prior art. One such play apparatus, is an integral structure on which a small child can climb. 1 Because of this integral construction, the child does not have the opportunity to build his own play structure. Applicants invention on the other hand is a unique and novel play structure which provides adjustable interconnecting bar members which the child can separately arrange within an outer frame. Thus, it has the advantage of allowing the child to exercise his imagination by building up different and varied structures to play on.

Another prior play apparatus has an adjustable feataure. The adjustability is quite limited, however, since its elongated positionable bar members are all the same length and can only be oriented parallel to each other in one direction between two base pieces. The adjustable bar members of the present invention, on the other hand, come in different lengths and can be reticulated within the play structure either parallel or perpendicular to one another. This added dimension greatly increases the imaginative possibilities for the child.

Moreover, a child playing on the last-mentioned prior apparatus may knock one of the positionable members off the base pieces by accidentally hitting it in an upward direction, or he may initially place these members in an improper non-interlocking relation thereby creating the danger that the member might slip off the bases while the child is climbing on the structure. The adjustable climbing apparatus of the present invention overcomes this problem by providing adjust able members which are either held in captured relation on the play structure or not connected at all. Therefore, the possibility of a child being injured due to an accident or improper assembly is greatly reduced.

The adjustable climbing apparatus of the present invention provides a novel and new play structure which a child can erect for himself to form varied and imaginative play structures on which he can safely climb.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION The present invention is an adjustable climbing apparatus for children comprised of a rigid frame having a plurality of vertical support posts interconnected by a series of horizontal stationary bar members. A plurality of adjustable bar members are provided which are connectable between any two suitably spaced stationary bar members, other adjustable bar members, or one stationary bar member and one other adjustable bar member. Gripping means are secured to each end of the adjustable bar members which lockingly engage either the stationary bar members or another adjustable bar member when attached thereto whereby the adjustable bars can be lockingly arranged in numerous possible positions within the rigid frame to form one of numerous possible play structures.

OBJECTS OF INVENTION It is therefore an important object of the present in- LII vention to provide an adjustable climbing apparatus which can be assembled by a child to form different play structures.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an adjustable climbing apparatus which can be easily modified by a child to change the configuration of the apparatus.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a sturdy adjustable climbing apparatus which eliminates the possibility of improper assembly and thereby the possibility of collapse due to improper assembly.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a novel climbing apparatus which is suitable for use in a house yard as well as a public park.

And it is still a further object of the present invention to provide an adjustable climbing apparatus which stimulates a child to express his imagination and creativity through building a wide range of different possible play structures on which the child can play and safely climb.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the adjustable climbing apparatus showing a number of adjustable bar members reticulated within the rigid frame and a platform disposed between a stationary bar member and an adjustable bar member.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the rigid frame of the adjustable climbing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a corner support post of the rigid frame showing stationary bar members mounted thereto.

FIG. 4 is a cut away view of the expansion grip mounted on the bar portion of the adjustable bar member.

FIG. 5 is a cut away view of the stable grip mounted on the bar portion of the adjustable bar member.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the platform accessory part.

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the door accessory part attached to the rigid frame and positioned in a closed position.

FIG. 8 is a rear elevational view of the door accessory part of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of a facade accessory part simulating a house window.

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the facade accessory part of FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows an adjustable climbing apparatus comprised of a rigid frame II which is the structural framework to which the adjustable bars and accessory parts, described hereinafter, are attached. The rigid frame includes a plurality of vertical support posts 13 interconnected by a plurality of horizontal stationary bar members 15 to form a rigid structure. The support posts and the horizontal bar members are fabricated from material suitable for supporting the weight of several children climbing on the bar members. Preferably, the rigid frame has the shape of a square in planform supported by four vertical corner support posts 13 with the series of horizontal bar members 15 disposed between the adjacent posts forming the sides of the square. However, other configurations such as an L-shaped configuration can be adopted, but would require additional vertical support posts and horizontal bar members.

In the preferred embodiment, the rigid frame also comprises at least one shorter intermediate support post 17 spaced between any two adjacent corner posts. Horizontal bar members connect this intermediate support post to the adjacent corner support posts in such a manner as to leave an opening between the intermediate support posts and one of the corner posts suitable for an entranceway 19 into the rigid frame 11.

The vertical support posts 13 of the rigid frame can be fabricated of construction grade lumber and the horizontal bars of metal tubing. Aluminum tubing would be preferable for light weight construction. A suitable construction, for example, would be a square rigid frame measuring approximately five feet on a side and 7 feet 3 inches in height and having stationary horizontal bars fabricated of 1% inch O.D., 0.057 inch wall aluminum tubing. These horizontal bars would preferably be placed at approximately 18 inch intervals, one above the other, and approximately 12 inches above ground level. Thus, in this example, there would be five equally spaced bars on each side of the apparatus. It should be noted, however, that the dimensions of the rigid frame including the distance between the parallel bars, may be changed to accommodate children of different sizes and ages.

As is more clearly shown in FIG. 3, the horizontal bar members 15 of the rigid frame can be attached to the vertical corner posts 13 by inserting the ends 21 of the bars into pre-drilled holes in the corner posts. Fastening means, such as flat head slotted wood screws 23 inserted into the sides of the support posts and through pre-drilled holes in the sides of the parallel bars, can be used as a locking means so that the horizontal bar members can not slip out of place or rotate. Actually, any means for fixably attaching the horizontal bars to the vertical support posts which will serve the purpose can be used, however, the means suggested herein allows for relative ease of assembly and dissassembly of the rigid frame portion of the invention by an adult.

A plurality of adjustable bar members 25 are provided in different lengths for attachment to the rigid frame. As can be seen in FIG. 1, adjustable bar members can be disposed between two stationary bar members 15, two other adjustable bar members 25 already positioned within the rigid frame, or between one stationary bar member and one other adjustable bar member. This assumes, of course, that the bar members between which a person desires to position an adjustable bar member are suitably spaced. By reticulatiing the adjustable bar members within the rigid frame, differ ent combinations of play structures can be assembled.

The adjustable bar members, like the stationary bar members, are preferably fabricated of 1 /4 inch O.D., 0.057 inch wall aluminum tubing.

The adjustable bar members include a pair of gripping means 27 secured to the ends of the bar portion 23 of the adjustable bar members formed such that they can lockingly engage a stationary or other adjustable bar member. In the preferred embodiment, the outwardly projecting end of the gripping means includes a curved portion 29, the inner surface of which conforms to the outer surface of the stationary or other adjustable bar members when hooked thereto, The curved portion is formed in the shape of a J lying on its side with the short leg or hook end 30 of the J facing downward. Thus, when a gripping means engages another bar member the bar member is disposed within the curved end of the horizontal I such that it is captured from above and below to prevent any vertical movement and around the outer surface thereof for approximately one half of its circumference.

The pair of gripping means attached to the ends of the adjustable bar members differ in that one is the expansion grip 27A shown in FIG. 4 and the other is the stable, nonexpansion grip 278 as shown in FIG. 5.

The expansion grip of FIG. 4 is slidably adjustable in telescoping relation along the axis of the adjustable bar member, and is spring-loaded such that it is biased in a foreshortened position. Thus, to position the adjust able bar members the expansion grip must be extended by overcoming the tension in the spring-loading mechanism, and then the two gripping means must be engaged with the support bar members. When the expansion grip is released, whereupon the gripping means retracts, the adjustable bar member is held in captured relation between the support bar members by the restoring force of the spring urging the two gripping means together.

FIG. 4 shows the preferred method for mounting the expansion grip on the end of the bar portion 28 of the adjustable bar 25. One end of the bar portion is inserted into a bore 31 formed in the base of the gripping means 27A and two oppositely opposed axial slots 32 are provided in the sides of the bar portion proximate this end. A pre-drilled hole 33 is provided in the side of the grip and is aligned with the slots, and a pin 35, such as a spring pin, is inserted into this pre-drilled hole such that it runs through the slots to hold the grip in sliding relation onto the end of the bar. The maximum extent of movement of the expansion grip over the bar is, of course, defined by the length of the slots. To prevent wear on the plastic expansion grip, an aluminum sleeve 36 lines the bore in the end of each grip.

The spring-loading of the expansion grip is preferably provided by a tension spring 37, one end of which is attached to the pin 35 inserted through the grip and slot of the adjustable bar member, and the other end of which is attached to a rivet 39 inserted through the adjustable bar member at a suitable distance away from the gripping means. The tension in the spring pulls the slidably mounted gripping means toward the rivet thereby causing the adjustable bar member to be in a foreshortened position. Likewise, when the expansion grip is slidably extended to hook over one of the parallel bars of the stationary frame or over another adjustable bar, the tension in the spring pulls the expansion grip inward to provide a captured relation. Because of this captured relation, the adjustable bar cannot accidentally become disengaged and fall to the ground.

FIG. 5 of the drawings shows stable grip 278 with a bore 41 formed in its end and bar portion 28 inserted in the bore. The stable grip is held into place by a steel spring pin which is inserted through a pre-drilled hole running through the sides of the grip and the portion of the bar contained internally of the grip.

To prevent lateral sliding of the adjustable bar member over the two bar members to which it is attached, the preferred embodiment provides a projection 43 formed on the inner surface of the curved portion 29 of the pair of gripping means 27, and a plurality of regularly spaced depressions 45 aligned along the sides of the stationary bar members and the adjustable bar members. The stationary bar members actually only need the depressions along the outer sides thereof, because the adjustable bar members will only be connected to the frame from the inside which means the projection will only engage the outside surface of the bar.

When the adjustable bar member is hooked into place on either a stationary bar member or another adjustable bar member, it is positioned such that the projection formed on each gripping means mates with one of the depressions along the side of the supporting bar members. This interlocking prevents lateral sliding of the adjustable bar member over the bar members to which it is attached. The adjustable bar can later be repositioned along the support bars by simply overcoming the tension of the spring-loading and laterally sliding the adjustable bar member along the supporting bar members until the projection on the gripping means passes over an adjacent depression. Unless a counteracting force is applied, the spring-loading of the expansion grip will then cause the button to snap into this depression.

In the preferred embodiment both the expansion and stable grips are formed of molded plastic sturdy enough to withstand rough usage and to support the weight of several children.

To attach the adjustable bars to his play structure, the child preferably first hooks the expansion grip 27A in place on a stationary bar member of the rigid frame 11, or on another adjustable bar 25, and then pulls the bar towards the stable grip 27B, thereby extending the expansion grip, and hooks the stable grip on a suitably placed stationary or other adjustable bar members. Removing the adjustable bar is preferably accomplished by first simply pulling the bar towards the stable grip, that is, against the tension of the spring, and then unhooking the grip.

In the preferred embodiment, accessory parts are provided which can be attached to the play structure 0 formed by the assembly of the adjustable bar member on the rigid frame. These accessory parts are designed for use by the children in creating imaginative play spaces in a climbing apparatus.

One example of an accessory part, as can be seen in FIG. 6, is a platform comprising a piece of plywood 47 fastened to two parallel bar members 49. Bar hooks 51, preferably formed of molded plastic, are secured to the ends of the parallel bars preferably by pins 53. The bar hooks are shaped to fit over either the stationary or adjustable bar members. This platform can be used to support the child, as for example, in an imaginary treehouse, or it can be used as a roof over an imaginary playhouse or a fort.

FIG. 7 shows another example of an accessory part comprising a drawbridge or door hingeably attachable to the rigid frame such that it can be opened and closed over the entranceway 19 formed in the rigid frame. The door 55 is preferably constructed of a sheet of plywood. Two pipe clamps 57 secure a piece of metal tubing 59 along one end of the door such that the two ends of the tubing extend beyond the opposite sides of the door. An additional two pipe clamps 61 are mounted on the rigid framework at the bottom of the vertical support posts defining the sides of the entranceway 19.

When it is desired to attach the drawbridge to the rigid framework, the child simply inserts the tubing into the aligned clamps already mounted on the framework.

A small hole 63 is drilled in the end of the plywood door opposite the metal tubing. A rope 65 knotted at one end is threaded through the hole and looped over a horizontal bar member over the entranceway, and is used to pull the door or drawbridge up and to let it down.

Referring to FIG. 9, still another example of possible accessory parts are facades which simulate exterior or interior portions of a make believe structure such as a house or fort, and which can be attached to the rigid frame. These facades can be fabricated from masonite or cardboard painted to show desired features like, for example, the house window of FIG. 9 or an interior fireplace. Preferably, two plastic hooks 67 are fastened to the back of the facade as a means of attaching it to the rigid frame.

The above are but a few examples of the possible accessory parts which can be provided for enhancing the play structure formed by reticulating the adjustable bar members in the rigid frame. Accessory parts other than the ones described above may also be used.

The present invention is a unique climbing apparatus for children which can be assembled in various combinations by a child to allow the child to exercise his imagination, and which at the same time provides sturdy and easily assembled parts which eliminate the possibility of having the play structure collapse under the childs weight. The present invention further provides a climbing apparatus which greatly reduces the possibility of creating an unsafe play structure due to improper assembly.

The present invention has been described in considerable detail, however, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the above description except as is necessitated by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An adjustable climbing apparatus for children comprising a rigid frame having a plurality of vertical support.

posts and a series of horizontal stationary bar members interconnecting said vertical support posts, and

a plurality of adjustable bar members of different lengths positionable between and releasably connectable to said stationary bar members, or other of said adjustable bar members, or one stationary bar member and one adjustable bar member, whereby different combinations of play structures can be assembled by suitably arranging said adjustable bar members within the rigid frame, each of said adjustable bar members having a gripping means disposed at each end thereof, said gripping means having a curved end portion at the outwardly projecting end thereof, the inner surface of which conforms to the outer surface of the bar member to which it is connected, said curved portion being formed to surround the bar member to which it is connected in such a manner that vertical forces applied to the adjustable bar member will not cause the connections to disengage, and at least one of said gripping means being secured in telescoping relation with respect to the end of the bar portion of said adjustable bar member and being spring loaded for biasing in a foreshortened position whereby, when said spring loaded gripping means is axially extended by overcoming the tension of the spring loading, said adjustable bar member can be connected in captured relation between any suitably positioned bar members.

2. The adjustable climbing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said curved end portion is formed in the configuration of a letter J lying on its side with the hook end down and elongated backward horizontally toward the opposite end of the adjustable bar member whereby as a bar member is engaged by the gripping means the engaged bar member is moved to a position within the end of the horizontal J shaped curved end portion whereby it is captured from above and below between the horizontal portions of the J shaped end portion and around the outer surface thereof for approximately one half of its circumference.

3. The adjustable climbing apparatus of claim 1 including means for preventing lateral sliding of said adjustable bars along the bars to which they are connected.

4. The adjustable climbing apparatus of claim 3 wherein said means for preventing lateral sliding of the adjustable bar comprises a plurality of depressions disposed in aligned relation along the sides of said stationary and adjustable bar members, and

a projection formed on the inner surface of the curved end portion of said gripping means whereby, when said adjustable bar members are connected to other bar members, said projections engage with said depressions to prevent lateral sliding of said adjustable bar along the bars to which it is connected.

5. An adjustable climbing apparatus for children comprising a rigid frame having a plurality of vertical support posts interconnected by a series of horizontal stationary bar members,

a plurality of adjustable bar members connectable between said stationary bar members, other of said adjustable bar members, or one stationary bar member and one adjustable bar member, both of said horizontal and adjustable bar members having a plurality of depressions disposed in spaced alignment along the sides thereof,

a pair of gripping means secured to the ends of the adjustable bar members with the outwardly projecting end portions of said gripping means being curved to form a J-shaped hook disposed on its side and which conforms to the outer surface of other bar members when hooked thereto, each of said curved end portions of said gripping means having a projection formed on the inside surface thereof for engaging with said depressions to prevent lateral sliding of said adjustable bar member along the bar members to which it is connected, and at least one of said pair of gripping means being mounted in telescoping relation with respect to the end of said adjustable bar member and being spring loaded for biasing in a foreshortened position whereby, when said spring loaded gripping means is axially extended by overcoming the tension of the spring loading, said adjustable bar member can be connected in captured relation between any suitable positioned bar members.

6. The climbing apparatus of claim 5 wherein at least one entranceway is formed in said rigid frame.

7. The climbing apparatus of claim 5 wherein said stationary and adjustable bar members are fabricated of metal tubing. I

8. The climbing apparatus of claim 5 wherein said gripping means are fabricated of molded plastic.

9. The climbing apparatus of claim 5 further comprising accessory parts separately attachable to the play assembly formed by reticulating said adjustable bar members within said rigid frame.

10. The climbing apparatus of claim 9 wherein said accessory parts include a rigid platform having two parallel bar members secured to one side thereof and bar hooks having a curved portion in the shape of a vertical J secured to the ends of said parallel bar members whereby the platform can be attached to the play assembly to serve as an area on which to climb or as a roof over a playhouse.

11. The climbing apparatus of claim 9 wherein said accessory parts include a door hingeably attachable at one end to the bottom of said rigid frame so as to cover said entranceway when closed, said door having a rope fixed to the free end thereof and draped over one of said horizontal stationary bar members such that said free end of said door can be raised or lowered by pulling and playing out the rope.

12. The climbing apparatus of claim 9 wherein said accessory parts include facades simulating exterior portions of a house, said facades having hooks positioned for booking said facades onto the side of said rigid frame.

13. An adjustable climbing apparatus for children comprising a rigid frame having four corner support posts and at least one shorter intermediate support post spaced between two of said corner posts, said corner and intermediate support posts being interconnected by a series of horizontal metal tubular members to form a square frame having an opening between said intermediate post and one of said corner posts suitable for an entranceway into said rigid frame, plurality of adjustable metal tubular members adjustably disposed between two of said staionary tubular members, other of said adjustable tubular members, or one stationary and one other adjustable tubular member whereby different play structures can be created by suitably reticulating said adjustable tubular member within said rigid frame, both of said adjustable and stationary tubular members having a plurality of depressions aligned along the sides thereof, and a pair of molded plastic gripping means secured to the ends thereof, each of said gripping means having a curved end portion formed in the shape of a J disposed on its side the inside surface of which conforms to the outside surface of the other tubular members, and a projection formed on said inside surface for engaging with said depressions to prevent lateral sliding of said adjustable tubular member along the tubular members to which it is connected, one of said gripping means being secured in telescoping relation to the end of the bar portion of said adjustable tubular member and being spring loaded for biasing in a foreshortened position whereby said adjustable tubular members can be placed in captured relation between other tubular members by extending said spring loaded gripping means against the tension created by the spring loading, and accessory parts separately attachable to the play assembly formed by reticulating said adjustable tubular members within the rigid frame. 

1. An adjustable climbing apparatus for children comprising a rigid frame having a plurality of vertical support posts and a series of horizontal stationary bar members interconnecting said vertical support posts, and a plUrality of adjustable bar members of different lengths positionable between and releasably connectable to said stationary bar members, or other of said adjustable bar members, or one stationary bar member and one adjustable bar member, whereby different combinations of play structures can be assembled by suitably arranging said adjustable bar members within the rigid frame, each of said adjustable bar members having a gripping means disposed at each end thereof, said gripping means having a curved end portion at the outwardly projecting end thereof, the inner surface of which conforms to the outer surface of the bar member to which it is connected, said curved portion being formed to surround the bar member to which it is connected in such a manner that vertical forces applied to the adjustable bar member will not cause the connections to disengage, and at least one of said gripping means being secured in telescoping relation with respect to the end of the bar portion of said adjustable bar member and being spring loaded for biasing in a foreshortened position whereby, when said spring loaded gripping means is axially extended by overcoming the tension of the spring loading, said adjustable bar member can be connected in captured relation between any suitably positioned bar members.
 2. The adjustable climbing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said curved end portion is formed in the configuration of a letter J lying on its side with the hook end down and elongated backward horizontally toward the opposite end of the adjustable bar member whereby as a bar member is engaged by the gripping means the engaged bar member is moved to a position within the end of the horizontal J shaped curved end portion whereby it is captured from above and below between the horizontal portions of the J shaped end portion and around the outer surface thereof for approximately one half of its circumference.
 3. The adjustable climbing apparatus of claim 1 including means for preventing lateral sliding of said adjustable bars along the bars to which they are connected.
 4. The adjustable climbing apparatus of claim 3 wherein said means for preventing lateral sliding of the adjustable bar comprises a plurality of depressions disposed in aligned relation along the sides of said stationary and adjustable bar members, and a projection formed on the inner surface of the curved end portion of said gripping means whereby, when said adjustable bar members are connected to other bar members, said projections engage with said depressions to prevent lateral sliding of said adjustable bar along the bars to which it is connected.
 5. An adjustable climbing apparatus for children comprising a rigid frame having a plurality of vertical support posts interconnected by a series of horizontal stationary bar members, a plurality of adjustable bar members connectable between said stationary bar members, other of said adjustable bar members, or one stationary bar member and one adjustable bar member, both of said horizontal and adjustable bar members having a plurality of depressions disposed in spaced alignment along the sides thereof, a pair of gripping means secured to the ends of the adjustable bar members with the outwardly projecting end portions of said gripping means being curved to form a J-shaped hook disposed on its side and which conforms to the outer surface of other bar members when hooked thereto, each of said curved end portions of said gripping means having a projection formed on the inside surface thereof for engaging with said depressions to prevent lateral sliding of said adjustable bar member along the bar members to which it is connected, and at least one of said pair of gripping means being mounted in telescoping relation with respect to the end of said adjustable bar member and being spring loaded for biasing in a foreshortened position whereby, when said spring loaded gripping means is axially extended by overcoming the tension of the spring loading, said adJustable bar member can be connected in captured relation between any suitable positioned bar members.
 6. The climbing apparatus of claim 5 wherein at least one entranceway is formed in said rigid frame.
 7. The climbing apparatus of claim 5 wherein said stationary and adjustable bar members are fabricated of metal tubing.
 8. The climbing apparatus of claim 5 wherein said gripping means are fabricated of molded plastic.
 9. The climbing apparatus of claim 5 further comprising accessory parts separately attachable to the play assembly formed by reticulating said adjustable bar members within said rigid frame.
 10. The climbing apparatus of claim 9 wherein said accessory parts include a rigid platform having two parallel bar members secured to one side thereof and bar hooks having a curved portion in the shape of a vertical J secured to the ends of said parallel bar members whereby the platform can be attached to the play assembly to serve as an area on which to climb or as a roof over a playhouse.
 11. The climbing apparatus of claim 9 wherein said accessory parts include a door hingeably attachable at one end to the bottom of said rigid frame so as to cover said entranceway when closed, said door having a rope fixed to the free end thereof and draped over one of said horizontal stationary bar members such that said free end of said door can be raised or lowered by pulling and playing out the rope.
 12. The climbing apparatus of claim 9 wherein said accessory parts include facades simulating exterior portions of a house, said facades having hooks positioned for hooking said facades onto the side of said rigid frame.
 13. An adjustable climbing apparatus for children comprising a rigid frame having four corner support posts and at least one shorter intermediate support post spaced between two of said corner posts, said corner and intermediate support posts being interconnected by a series of horizontal metal tubular members to form a square frame having an opening between said intermediate post and one of said corner posts suitable for an entranceway into said rigid frame, a plurality of adjustable metal tubular members adjustably disposed between two of said staionary tubular members, other of said adjustable tubular members, or one stationary and one other adjustable tubular member whereby different play structures can be created by suitably reticulating said adjustable tubular member within said rigid frame, both of said adjustable and stationary tubular members having a plurality of depressions aligned along the sides thereof, and a pair of molded plastic gripping means secured to the ends thereof, each of said gripping means having a curved end portion formed in the shape of a J disposed on its side the inside surface of which conforms to the outside surface of the other tubular members, and a projection formed on said inside surface for engaging with said depressions to prevent lateral sliding of said adjustable tubular member along the tubular members to which it is connected, one of said gripping means being secured in telescoping relation to the end of the bar portion of said adjustable tubular member and being spring loaded for biasing in a foreshortened position whereby said adjustable tubular members can be placed in captured relation between other tubular members by extending said spring loaded gripping means against the tension created by the spring loading, and accessory parts separately attachable to the play assembly formed by reticulating said adjustable tubular members within the rigid frame. 